Kirk accused of stifling freedom of speech

ordination and homosexuality statements ‘not allowed’

By Cameron Brooks

Published:

A minister has accused the Church of Scotland of stifling freedom of speech by stopping people from making public statements about ordination and homosexuality.

The Rev Louis Kinsey, of St Columba’s Church in Aberdeen, is calling on Kirk officials to overturn a “patronising” decision taken at the General Assembly in May following the controversial appointment of openly gay minister Scott Rennie to a church in the city.

It was agreed that no public statements should be made until a special commission investigating the induction and ordination of active homosexuals in the ministry reports back to the assembly in 2011.

However, Mr Kinsey, one of 12 Aberdeen Presbytery members who tried to block Mr Rennie’s move from Brechin Cathedral to Queen’s Cross Church, claimed there was no evidence or proof that debate on the issue had discredited the Kirk.

Writing on his personal internet blog, he said: “My hope is that the moratorium (on discussion) will be challenged.

“It only serves to drive debate underground and it stifles the exchange of opinion.

“It is patronising because it implies that the assembly simply cannot and will not trust the members and ministers of the Kirk to hold a public discussion in a spirit of respectful disagreement.”

Mr Kinsey, a member of evangelical group Forward Together, which spearheaded an online campaign to block Mr Rennie’s appointment, wrote of the moratorium: “It is a mistake that needs correcting, it is the absence of freedom of speech.”

The Rev David Randall, who grew up at Macduff where his father David still preaches, agreed that the Kirk should rethink its position.

“I am not sure that stifling debate on something which is obviously very important for the church’s future is sensible,” added Mr Randall, who is minister at Loudoun Parish Church at Newmilns in Ayrshire.

“Divisive issues are not resolved by preventing anybody from speaking on them.”

A Church of Scotland spokesman said: “The special commission will be canvassing views from the whole church, presbyteries and Kirk Sessions. Others will be encouraged to express their opinions to the commission, so that all the opinions are considered by the body the General Assembly set up.”

Mr Kinsey was not available for comment.

Mr Rennie, 37, was inducted into Queen’s Cross Church earlier this month. He intends entering into a civil partnership with his partner, David Smith.